Roman Ruins's debut 12 inch Homebuilding is due out in a month on Gold Robot Records. If this single is any indication, we're in for a subtly exotic, dreamy treat.
Roman Ruins - Mighty Love by goldrobotrecords
Read more about Roman Ruins - 'Mighty Love'
These guys may hail from Oakland, but something about the production of their alt pop makes me think of a slew of Danish bands. Either way, the soaring melodies and clean production on this track make for a very nice four minutes.
Read more about Auto Sleep - 'Future Dream' 
Taking old-school instrumentation, like banjo and violin, and chopping it up in a glitchy, synthy blender, LYNX builds a bold new pop sound. Here's a number from their full-length On the Horizon with their fellow Oakland artists Beats Antique.
This cute, airy tribal-pop release from Oakland's Trails and Ways features a cover of M83's "Midnight City". I guess songs don't need to be out for long to become fair game for the cover treatment. Either way, it's nice to hear a fully organic rendition of the synthpop single.
Read more about Trails and Ways - Temporal
On the title track from their new EP, James & Evander level a gentle melancholy with arpeggiated synths and mellow harmonies. The result is pretty reminiscent of the likes of The Postal Service. Read more about James & Evander - "Constellating"
Wall-of-sound shoegaze can churn in like a dream tornado. Sometimes you get the perfect blend of heavy-lidded haze and unbounded rock aggression. Whirr, a new band out of Oakland, hits that middle space effortlessly. You can catch them at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz on August 17th. Till then, here's "Leave" off their new record Distressor. Read more about Whirr - "Leave"
A little over a year ago, I found myself at one of the best concerts I'd ever been to in my many years of show-going. You don't always know that an evening like that is about to unfold. You usually have to wait while a bland-if-solid opening act does its thing before the real event envelopes you. In the spring of 2010 at Chicago's Bottom Lounge, that event was the appearance of Oakland prog-metal ensemble Sleepytime Gorilla Museum.
I say "ensemble" because calling them a band would be a little reductive. This fivesome wasn't just a maker of music. They put on a full-on show, a thrilling theatrical ride complete with full props, costumes, and makeup. Sure, the meat of the performance was indeed the skillful delivery of selections from the band's discography, but listening to a SGM record and seeing them in concert are worlds apart. They bring "stage presence" to a new level. They remember that the art of performance is just that--an art.
Read more about Remembering Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Oakland metal band Neurosis was forged in the fire of '80s hardcore punk in 1985. Since then, they've gone on to sculpt their own sound from the influences of doom metal and ambient industrial. Listening to a Neurosis album is much like being really angry and really sleepy at the same time, only perhaps more enjoyable. Here they are at Ozzfest performing one of their great early tracks, "Locust Star", off the 1996 record Through Silver in Blood.
Ever wonder which big stars and hot artists came from your city? Want to know if you were born in the same area as someone rich and famous? Here are some popular singers, songwriters, and musicians in general who hail from Oakland.
Michael Franti
If you love songs about peace, love, and generally being happy, you probably know a lot about Michael Franti and Spearhead. From “Say Hey, I Love You” to “Hello, Bonjour,” the man is spreading peace through his gorgeous music and reggae beats.
Billy Joe Armstrong
The lead singer of Green Day has always been a guitar-strumming heartthrob in my eyes. His own kohl-lined eyes have mesmerized girls since the 90s, and even though he’s older with kids now, he’s just as hot as ever, if not even more so. Read more about Famous Musicians From Oakland
Looking for a good time in Oakland? Check out The Ruby Room - conveniently located at 132 14th Street in Oakland. There is a ton of great music (DJ's on the weekends!), a laid back atmosphere, and a really friendly crowd. the drinks are also pretty sweet (you get hooked up) for such a busy place. You will have a GREAT time - especially if you are a music lover. Read more about Oakland Best: The Ruby Room